Lenovo refers to their ThinkPad X1 as a crossover computer. Made for the business set, the Intel Core i7 processor packed into its 0.67-inch body will appeal to a more consumer crowd as well. This wants to go mainstream.

The X1 still looks very much like part of the Lenovo ThinkPad family, which is to say functional, but hardly beautiful. At 3.7 pounds, it's not the slimmest or lightest ultraportable out there, but I challenge you to find a thinner machine with a dual-core Core i7 processor (you can get a Core i3 or i5 if you really want). And this thing is for the road warrior. It will fit easily into a bag, survive coffee mishaps, and has a battery that can charge to 80% in 30 minutes.

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Along with the 13-inch Gorilla Glass screen, and dimpled, chiclet-style keyboard—the part of the laptop Lenovo considers most important—the X1 comes with Dolby Home Theater sound and maintains that recognizable red nub and above-trackpad mouse buttons so you can navigate without taking your hands off the keyboard. Starting at $1400, the X1 may not sell at a price that screams "crossover," but it could be as close as any enterprise notebook has come yet.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC – May 17, 2011: Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) announced today the ThinkPad X1 laptop that gives users the thinnest and highest performance combination for its class1. Designed for mobile professionals who demand the best in performance, mobility and entertainment, the laptop offers a simple, modern style with backlit keyboard, fast charging batteries and a host of performance and multimedia capabilities.
"Our customers are looking for a business laptop that combines the best consumer multimedia and entertainment features with the latest performance and mobility innovations in a super-thin, stylish design," said Dilip Bhatia, vice president, Think Product Group, Lenovo. "We used their input to craft the ThinkPad X1, equipping it with non-traditional business features like Dolby Home Theater sound, an updated keyboard and a super-bright, durable screen protected with Corning® Gorilla® Glass that continues to deliver the enterprise-level security, manageability and durability that ThinkPad is known for."

Ultra-Thin Design Meets Elite Performance
As the thinnest ThinkPad, the ThinkPad X1 laptop measures less than 17 mm, approximately the height of a U.S. penny. Packed into the ultra-thin form factor are choices of second generation Intel Core i3, i5 and i7 processors, which are typically offered on Lenovo's larger 14 and 15-inch laptops. This engineering allows the ThinkPad X1 laptop to double the CPU performance and quadruple the graphics performance of the ThinkPad X301, Lenovo's previous flagship 13-inch laptop.

Starting at only 3.7 pounds, the ThinkPad X1 laptop feels incredibly light and sturdy thanks to its interior roll cage and magnesium chassis. The screen uses Corning® Gorilla® Glass for extra durability, rigidity and scratch resistance. The hardened ThinkPad X1 passes eight military specifications so mobile professionals can work anywhere with confidence.

Recharge Fast with RapidCharge
The ThinkPad X1 laptop debuts Lenovo's new RapidCharge battery technology that charges up to 80 percent in just 30 minutes. This technology charges 2.5 times faster than a typical ThinkPad battery2, giving users more freedom to work on-the-go faster. RapidCharge combines fast charge cells with a 1,000 cycle battery designed to last three years3. Users can also opt to purchase a RapidCharge external slice battery for the ThinkPad X1 laptop to double their battery life to 10 hours4.

ThinkPad Keyboard In A New Light
Lenovo has thoughtfully modernized the keyboard's appearance while simultaneously retaining the touch, feel and function of the classic ThinkPad keyboard experience. The simplified design eliminates some legacy keys like SysRq while keeping rich functionality including dedicated multimedia and voice calling controls. For working in low light, users can turn on the keyboard's backlight, available for the first time on an enterprise-class ThinkPad laptop. Additionally, in keeping with ThinkPad tradition, the keyboard features spill resistance.

Rich Sound, Riveting Pictures for Music and Movies
Business PCs typically aren't known for their audio/visual experience, but the ThinkPad X1 laptop changes that with rich and resonant Dolby Home Theater v4 sound and its superbright (350 NIT) high-definition display. Whether listening through headphones, built-in speakers or a connected home theater, users will experience a captivating entertainment experience. Also, with the laptop's HDMI port and Intel Wireless Display technology, the laptop can connect and stream 1080p wirelessly to a TV or projector.

Business-Class Innovations
Lenovo's ThinkPad laptops feature a platform of new innovations that respond to key business needs with video and voice calling, enterprise management features and by creating an easy-to-use computing experience. Using its optional mobile broadband, 720p camera, high definition microphones and advanced calling modes, the ThinkPad X1 laptop delivers clear video calls. It also offers robust layers of security with Intel vPro technology5, encrypted hard drives with remote management support and a fingerprint reader with one touch swipe for power on and authentication.

For quick and easy startup and shutdown, the laptop comes with Lenovo Enhanced Experience 2.0 for Windows 7 – an exclusive certification for Lenovo products that allows users to start their laptop on average 20 seconds faster than a typical Windows 7 computer.

Pricing and Availability6
The ThinkPad X1 laptop will be available starting May 17 through business partners and online at HYPERLINK "http://www.lenovo.com" www.lenovo.com. Pricing for models starts at approximately $1,399.